The importance of a good fence.

We need some good fences.  As our roster of livestock grows, it's become clear that the makeshift fence situation we have on our hands is not going to suffice.  Last summer our neighbour's critters who were pasturing here had a very broad definition of free-range as they grazed across our whole farm, onto our other neighbour's fields and down the road.  This winter, with a little time for research I found a couple grant opportunities that will allow us to fence most of our pastures for free (lucky for us all of our pastures border onto a river, so the government is keen to help us keep critters out of the waterway).  I had booked an appointment for a fencing consultant to come out to the farm to take some measurements as soon as the snow melted.  Monday was that day.  The fencing man (who will remain anonymous) arrived at the farm a little early.  I looked out to see him pull up just as our one pet goat squeezed herself under the fence (for the 3rd time that day) to greet him.  Trying to play it cool, I joked about how she was demonstrating for him just how crappy our fences were.  Not wanting to waste his time, I told him I'd put her back in her pen when we were finished the measurements (secretly I knew she'd be back out again in 3 seconds so really there was no point).  We headed off towards the river with 2 dogs and goat on our heels.  Once we measured everything we could on our side of the river, we realized there was no way to get across the freezing, fast flowing water.  Our little bridge had long been washed away with the spring thaw.  No problem I told him, my neighbour has a bridge, we'll just walk along the river and cross there.  Well, the bridge was further then I recalled, and I couldn't help but feel bad as I lead him huffing and puffing through bush and fields and across the river into my neighbours maple bush (goat and 2 dogs still in tow).  As luck would have it, my neighbour happened to be back there tapping his trees at the time so he was able to take in the site of this motley parade through his bush.  Thirty minutes of trekking later, we arrive back at my property to measure the last pasture.  Feeling bad, I offer to try to construct a bridge out of branches while he finishes the measurements.  As soon as he is out of site, I call my friend who is up at the house and beg for help to remedy my desperate and embarrassing situation.  She heads down to the river with some hip waders.  The first one makes it across no problem, the second one rebounds off a tree branch and lands in the fast flowing water.  The fence man arrives back at the river just in time to see the two of us frantically chasing the boot along the banks.  Finally, the golden retriever comes to the rescue, jumps in and retrieves the boot.  We're back to square one with how to get across the river.  As soil man records his measurements I decide to risk a soaker in hopes of regaining a little of my dignity.  I amble my way onto a branch which promptly dislodges itself from the shore and drops me into the river.  I trudge across through the water anyhow noting just how cold the river is in March.  This leaves soil man, one dog and goat still stranded across the river.  After a few more hopeless attempts at bridge construction he declares he will just walk around back to the road through my other neighbour's field.  'Don't worry, I'll bring your goat' he calls out as he heads off.  At this point I'm wet, cold, and almost ready to die of embarrassment.  After quickly changing my clothes back at the house, I drive my truck over to where he'll come out at the road and casually offer him a ride back as he emerges (goat and puppy close behind).  He declines the ride (probably because he thinks I'm a lunatic by this point) and walks back.  I wrestle goat and puppy into the back of the truck and head home.  Of course the goat jumps out of the truck as we near the laneway, we've come way too far for her to be cooperative at this point.  I drag her back to the barn, explaining all the way just how tasty she might be for dinner if she keeps this up.  Soil man is very polite as he bids me farewell and promises to send me a quote for my fencing needs.  I have a feeling I may never hear from him again.  Just another day on the farm I guess.

GE alfalfa- a worrisome time for organic farmers

It's a worrisome time for organic farmers in Canada.  In January, the USDA de-regulated the use of genetically modified alfalfa, allowing its unrestricted planting throughout the United States.  The issue is now at the forefront for Canadian farmers as the House of Commons works towards a decision on the same issue.  To date, there are a handful of GE crops that have been approved for use in Canada including GE corn, soybeans, canola, and sugar beet.  These GE cash crops all present somewhat of a threat to the integrity of organic farms but the possible introduction of alfalfa brings a whole new set of concerns.  For one, alfalfa is a perennial commonly grown in pastures used to feed livestock, which means it is around for several years and able to produce viable seed that can contaminate organic pastures.  Here at reroot organic farm, we pasture-raise all of our livestock which means we would be susceptible to contamination from neighbouring farms choosing to grow GE alfalfa.  Secondly, alfalfa is pollinated by bees and other insects which increases the risk of contamination as bees travel from field to field collecting nectar and distributing pollen.  Although there is no research that I've found documenting the effects of GE alfalfa on honey bees, as a beekeeper this is also a major concern.  In recent years it's been challenging enough to keep our bees healthy and the unknown effects of these modified crops on the well-being of our important pollinators should be a concern to all who eat.  Finally, alfalfa is a legume which can be planted to help fix nitrogen in the soil.  Organic farmers commonly plant legumes to add fertility to their soils in lieu of the chemical fertilizers used in conventional agriculture.  If GE alfalfa is approved and the seed sources of alfalfa become contaminated with the modified gene, this will effectively remove alfalfa as a possible crop on organic farms. 

On Thursday, March 10, the House of Commons Agriculture Committee will vote on a new Liberal Party motion for a moratorium on the approval of GM alfalfa. Your actions before March 10 could make this moratorium happen.

If this issue concerns you, please take time to contact your MP in the next couple days.  Information can be found on the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) website http://www.cban.ca/alfalfa.